Archive · 6 Oct 2026
BMC Proposes Tougher Trenching Rules and Longer Road Liability
Mumbai’s civic body has proposed new rules for digging roads to install or repair underground utilities.
The rules are meant to help agencies coordinate their work and avoid digging up roads again and again.
Digging without permission could cost an agency five times the usual reinstatement charge.
Agencies doing work while a road is already being built would pay a lower proposed rate of Rs 2,300 per metre.
They would also have to fix road defects for longer: 10 years on concrete roads and five years on other roads.
Agencies would need to put underground utility locations on a digital map and update it within 30 days of finishing work.
The proposal also limits when trenching can take place.
The BMC Standing Committee is due to consider the proposal.
The proposed 2026 policy would impose a penalty five times the regular reinstatement charge for unauthorised trenching.
The reinstatement fee for utility work coordinated with road construction would fall from Rs 6,711 to Rs 2,300 per metre.
Utility agencies would be liable for defects for 10 years on cement-concrete roads and five years on non-concrete roads, up from three years.
The draft requires GIS-based mapping of underground utilities, with updates due within 30 days after work is completed.
The proposal is scheduled for consideration by the BMC Standing Committee on Thursday.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and agencies carrying out underground utility works.
- What
- A proposed Comprehensive Trenching and Reinstatement Policy 2026 with stricter penalties, digital mapping requirements and longer road defect-liability periods.
- When
- The proposal is dated October 5, 2026, and is scheduled for Standing Committee consideration on Thursday.
- Where
- Mumbai.
- Why
- To increase accountability, improve coordination among utility agencies and reduce repeated excavation of roads.
- Penalty for unauthorised excavation
- Five times the regular reinstatement charge.
- Fee during road construction
- Proposed reduction from Rs 6,711 to Rs 2,300 per metre.
- Defect-liability period
- 10 years for cement-concrete roads and five years for non-concrete roads; currently three years for all surfaces.
- Digital mapping
- GIS-based utility mapping must be updated within 30 days after work; further trenching can be barred until updates are submitted.
- Road surface categories
- The proposal reduces 16 categories to cement-concrete and non-cement-concrete.
- Work outside permitted windows
- Requires the municipal commissioner’s approval and attracts an additional 10% reinstatement charge.
- Horizontal directional drilling deposit
- A proposed security deposit of Rs 15 lakh per kilometre.